Proceedings of the XLVI Italian Society of Agricultural Genetics - SIGA Annual Congress

Giardini Naxos, Italy - 18/21 September, 2002

ISBN 88-900622-3-1

Poster Abstract - 5.19

AUXIN MEDIATES A DISACCHARIDE SIGNALING IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

Loreti E.*, Novi G.**, Poggi A.**, Gonzali S.**, Paolicchi F.**, Alpi A.**, Perata P.***

*) Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, CNR, Pisa

**) Dept. of Crop Plant Biology, University of Pisa

***) Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, ITALY

auxin, sugar-sensing, cross-talk

We used sucrose analogs to study a sucrose-specific signaling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. Addition of sucrose analogs during the post-germinative phase results in an altered phenotype of the seedlings, showing reduced hypocotyl and root growth. The effects of sucrose analogs on gene expression was evaluated using DNA microarrays. Mutants insensitive to the analogs used were identified. Overall the results suggest that sucrose analogs mimic the effects of sucrose as a signaling molecule, and that the long-term effects observed in seedlings treated with the sucrose analogs are due to auxin overproduction as a consequence of sucrose sensing.